A group of parents and teachers have formed a Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) for those interested in special education and children with special needs in Easton schools.
The group is focused primarily on children at Samuel Staples Elementary School and Helen Keller Middle School, but anyone in the community who supports their mission is free to join.
“Currently we have over 50 families, educators and staff interested in the Easton SEPTA and hope to attract more,” said Jill Madeo, a member of SEPTA who has a child with special needs in the the district. “This includes both families with children receiving special education services, as well as other families in the community that support our mission.”
The group is part of the non-profit Connecticut PTA that supports teachers and families with children in the public school system. There are SEPTA chapters in Avon, Fairfield, Hamden, Monroe, Newtown and Wilton.
Easton SEPTA members will hold an informational meeting before the Easton Board of Education meeting on April 9 at 6 p.m. at Helen Keller Middle School. Anyone can attend to learn more about the chapter. Food and beverages will be provided.
A deficit in Easton’s 2023-24 education budget revealed the challenges the district faces in offering special education services to children. A combination of greater expense for staffing and an increase in the number of children receiving special education services resulted in a budget deficit of nearly $1.2 million.
Various cost-cutting measures reduced a portion of the deficit. In addition, on March 25 at a Special Town Meeting, residents approved a transfer of $600,000 from the town’s undesignated fund balance to make up the remaining shortfall.
The chapter is committed to advocating for inclusivity and diversity in the classroom, said Jessica Del Vecchio, Easton’s SEPTA vice president.
“We are so excited to start a chapter of SEPTA in Easton,” said Del Vecchio. “It will build on the town’s long-standing history of excellence in education. By establishing a SEPTA, parents of children within the special services program, as well as those parents whose children are not receiving services, can come together and advocate for programming and grants that will be inclusive of all children and benefit every classroom.”
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